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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 81750, member: 636"] Zambia is thanking Zimbabwe for ditching a fuel transit tax. Zambian Energy Minister Makozo Chikote praised the move during a high-level meeting in Victoria Falls with his Zimbabwean counterpart, July Moyo, calling it critical for regional trade. Chikote stated the previously contentious tax had nearly closed a vital transit route, hurting businesses. Its removal has immediately eased economic pressure on Zambia and strengthened cooperation, lowering import costs for fuel and goods across the region. Chikote also expressed deep gratitude for Zimbabwe's support during Zambia's power crisis, specifically citing cooperation on generation and the use of Zimbabwe's transmission infrastructure to access regional electricity imports. He acknowledged that this solidarity has provided significant relief. However, he pointed to ongoing transmission constraints as an urgent regional issue, challenging energy experts from both nations to move faster from planning to building permanent solutions. He singled out the Zambia-Zimbabwe segment of the ZABONA project, which links several Southern African nations, as a top priority needing immediate and efficient execution in the coming year. The minister framed the collaboration as one between neighbors with shared goals for prosperity, emphasizing the need for reliable and affordable energy as a foundation for economic growth. The engagement highlighted a mutual focus on turning agreements into real projects that boost energy security. For Zimbabwe, the public commendation marks a positive step in bolstering its role as a dependable trade and energy partner in Southern Africa. [/QUOTE]

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